EchoStar Satellite (News - Alert) Services have agreed with Ringgold Telephone Company (RTC) to deliver its ViP-TV video transport service, according to the company. RTC provides converged communications to over 11,000 access lines in northern Georgia.

 

RTC will receive transport of 42 popular high definition TV channels to its IP headend. It provides digital interactive video service NexTV to its subscribers along with telephone and Internet access via a broadband connection. The EchoStar ViP-TV delivered IP channels will be immediately available to RTC subscribers. The new additions increase RTC’s offerings to a total of 48 high-definition channels.

 

Ringgold Telephone Company offers IPTV (News - Alert) television service with its NexTV service. It provides home telephone and television service besides offering high-speed DSL internet and home security. RTC is presently involved in the deployment of a multi-million dollar fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband infrastructure in Catoosa County.

 

“We are thrilled to be equipped to offer more hi-def channels than most major cable companies in our area,” said RTC Executive Vice President Phil Erli. “We’re bringing in the highest quality HD channels available through satellite IPTV transporter EchoStar and its ViP-TV service.”

 

EchoStar said its ViP-TV transport service platform can deliver a secure MPEG-4 encoded IP stream of nearly 275 popular, broadcast-quality TV and music channels from a satellite located at 85 degrees W.L. ViP-TV is capable of providing satellite-delivered local TV channel aggregation in a telco’s designated market area in high definition and standard definition.

 

“EchoStar is pleased to be the provider of choice for HD content for Ringgold Telephone,” said Steve Skalski, vice president in charge of EchoStar’s ViP-TV division.

 “Our ViP-TV service offers small and medium-sized telcos affordable, scalable and aggregated MPEG-4 IP-encapsulated audio and video channels from our high-powered satellite.”

 

Being a business unit of EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Satellite Services provides a reliable network for backhaul, aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data for domestic as well as international markets.

 

The company offers Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services. It offers access to eight satellites, ground-based teleport facilities and an expansive terrestrial U.S. backhaul network with 24-hour Satellite Access Centers.